The okeetee corn snake is a subspecies of the North American rat snake. It is known for its distinctive ochre-colored saddles, which are darker and more pronounced than other corn snakes. The okeetee has become popular in the pet trade due to its beautiful coloration and docile nature. This species of snake can reach lengths up to 4 feet long and have an average lifespan of 10-12 years with proper care.
What Makes An Okeetee Corn Snake?
The okeetee corn snake gets its name from the Okeetee Hunt Club in South Carolina, where it was first found and described. The okeetee is known for having a brightly colored pattern of reddish orange or yellowish blotches with dark outlines. This pattern is unique to okeetees, making them one of the most sought-after varieties of corn snakes available today. Additionally, okeetees tend to have thicker bodies than other corn snakes which can be attributed to their long evolutionary history in the wilds of North America. Despite this they are still relatively small animals, rarely growing larger than three feet in length.
Lifespan
The okeetee corn snake has a typical lifespan in the wild of around 5-8 years. This is considerably shorter than their lifespan in captivity, where with proper care they can often live for up to 10-12 years. Factors that shorten the okeetee’s life span in the wild include environmental stressors such as predation, weather events, and scarcity of resources. Other dangers facing okeetee corn snakes in the wild include physical injuries from being hit by cars or coming into contact with pesticides used by farmers.
Appearance
The okeetee corn snake has a slender build and typically grows to lengths of around 4 feet. Okeetees have a reputation for being particularly eye-catching due to their distinct ochre-colored saddles, which are darker and more pronounced than other corn snakes. These ochre colorations can be found on either side of the okeetee’s body and create patterns that look almost like stripes.
Diet
The okeetee corn snake is a carnivore, feeding mainly on small mammals and lizards in the wild. In captivity, okeetee corn snakes will feed readily on insects, frozen mice, or rats of the appropriate size. It is important to provide okeetee corn snakes with enough food for them to maintain their health. Feeding okeetees too often can lead to obesity, while not feeding them frequently enough can cause them to become malnourished and suffer from other medical issues.
Natural Habitat
The okeetee corn snake’s natural habitat includes woodlands, grasslands, and prairies throughout North America east of the Mississippi River. They are most commonly found in the southeastern United States, particularly in South Carolina and Georgia. Okeetee corn snakes are good climbers and will often take refuge in trees or other elevated areas to escape predators. They also tend to burrow underground during the day in order to avoid the heat of the sun.
Behavior
The okeetee corn snake is generally a docile species, rarely exhibiting aggressive behaviors when they feel threatened. When handled, okeetees typically remain calm, though they may attempt to coil up or rattle their tail as defensive mechanisms. Though okeetees can be easily spooked by sudden movements or loud noises, with proper handling and an experienced owner these snakes can make for excellent pets due to their mild temperaments.
Temperament
The okeetee corn snake is known for being particularly calm and docile in nature, making it a great option for beginning pet owners. Okeetees are not typically aggressive or defensive when handled, though they may rattle their tails or coil up as a sign of fear or discomfort. With proper handling and an experienced owner, okeetees can be easily tamed and make excellent companions.
This species of snake is also highly adaptable to changing environments and temperatures, another factor that makes them ideal pets for novice owners. However, okeetee corn snakes will require plenty of time outside of their enclosures in order to become more comfortable with human interaction and better accustomed to their new environment.
Mating Season
The okeetee corn snake typically mates in the late spring and early summer months. During this time, okeetees can often be seen in large numbers, with males competing with one another for access to females. Following a successful breeding season, okeetees will lay eggs in June or July which will hatch after around 6-9 weeks. The young okeetees will become adults within two years of hatching.
Do Okeetee Corn Snake Bite?
Generally, okeetee corn snakes do not bite unless they feel threatened. Okeetees will usually coil up and rattle their tails as a defensive mechanism if they feel scared or uncomfortable. With proper handling and an experienced owner okeetees typically remain calm, though it is always important to approach them with caution and respect. It is also important to remember that okeetees are wild animals by nature, so it is best to avoid sudden movements or loud noises when around them.
Is Okeetee Corn Snake Easy To Care for?
Yes, okeetee corn snakes are relatively easy to care for if the owner is knowledgeable about their needs and has experience with handling reptiles. These snakes require a regular routine of feeding, enclosure cleaning, and occasional handling in order to remain healthy. Okeetees also need adequate temperature control within their enclosures as well as plenty of hiding places so that they can feel secure. With proper care, okeetees can make great pets for any reptile enthusiast.
Conclusion
The okeetee corn snake is a popular pet due to its beautiful coloration and docile nature. They typically live for 10-12 years with proper care and can reach lengths up to 4 feet long. In the wild, okeetees have a lifespan of around 5-8 years, feeding on small mammals and lizards as their primary diet. Okeetee corn snakes are native to the southeastern United States, primarily inhabiting woodlands, grasslands, and prairies east of the Mississippi River—though they may also take refuge in trees or burrow underground during the day. With proper handling and an experienced owner, okeetees make great pets due to their mild temperaments.
